What is the largest fleet assembled since WW2?

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 17:29:32 -0500

RP members, if this isn't eye-opening, I don't know what is!

In 1989 the Pacific fleet conducted PACEX exercises with the Japanese Navy. This evolution had the most amount of ships assembled together since the end of World War II. PacEx had five complete battle groups and a flotilla of Japanese ships aligned in six columns. Watch the video to get a sense of the size of the fleet. Watch the whole thing as he pans to see them all, since his POV is narrow.

That's a LOT of combat power!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3Y1WBu1iwE

PacEx 1989

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 2 at 2016 5:30 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 17:30:55 -0500

In an image taken by a Tactical Aerial Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) on a U.S. Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat of Fighter Squadron (VF) 111 flown by the crew of Lieutenant Commander Rice and Lieutenant Old, the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), the battleships USS New Jersey (BB-62) and USS Missouri (BB-63), and their escorts pictured underway. Forming the Seventh Fleet Battle Force, the ships were participating in PACEX 1989.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jan 2 at 2016 5:31 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 17:31:38 -0500

SN Greg Wright I did not know this. Great post, I learn something new everyday. Sweet! That's a armada!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2016 5:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 17:35:38 -0500

could we do this today even with the whole reserve fleet activated? too bad our 4 battleships are now just museums since they are still relevant and necessary.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jan 2 at 2016 5:49 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 17:49:10 -0500

Was this a planned photo op? I've seen pics of ships close together for that purpose. But in the end, if our Navy got upset at any point, there would be a lot of scrap metal at the bottom of the sea. Everybody wants to take pics with No1. It sucks when you KNOW you're no1. Go Navy.....cough cough cough......I think Imma be sick saying that.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jan 2 at 2016 5:50 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 17:50:51 -0500

SN Greg Wright Awesome post - thansk for sharing!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 2 at 2016 5:52 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 17:52:30 -0500

Definitely enough US Navy & JMSDF presence there to make an enemy combatant think twice before getting froggy!

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jan 2 at 2016 6:04 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 18:04:55 -0500

Who was the President, Greg?

Response by LT Steve Wilson made Jan 2 at 2016 8:45 PM

LT Steve Wilson — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 20:45:02 -0500

SN Wright, I was there as conning officer aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and was really impressed with the sharp performance of the Japanese squadron. I was also astonished that when a Spruance-class destroyer lost steerageway and cut across the formation that the other ships in that tight formation were able to avoid a collision.

Response by CAPT Tom Bersson made Jan 3 at 2016 8:51 AM

CAPT Tom Bersson — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 08:51:14 -0500

I remember PACEX

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jan 3 at 2016 11:10 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 11:10:20 -0500

Probably the 6 Carrier Battle Groups assembled in the Gulf/Red Sea for Dessert Storm...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 3 at 2016 12:01 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 12:01:48 -0500

Thanks for posting some great pictures SN Greg Wright of a very impressive PACEX exercise. The fact that this exercise took place with the Japanese navy with 45 years of WWII shows how effective our dedicated effort to turn an implacable enemy into a staunch ally in less that 50 years.

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Jan 3 at 2016 10:48 PM

CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 22:48:49 -0500

In 1983 I was on the USS Coral Sea when we held an exercise in NORPAC with over 40 ships(3 aircraft carriers) and over 300 aircraft. We operated within 200 hundred miles of the Soviet Union. We were supported by the Canadian Navy and the US Coast Guard. The Soviet Air Force also was there but they were not invited. With 16 foot waves and a wind chill of a -4 degrees and 16 foot seas it was quite the adventure.

Response by SSgt Mark Lines made Feb 16 at 2016 1:24 AM

SSgt Mark Lines — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 01:24:35 -0500

Great information. Thank you for expanding my knowledge!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 16 at 2016 5:31 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 05:31:40 -0500

I'd say that would be the one. I was with Chucky V Battle Group on her Last Westpac with Nuclear Cruisers as escorts Desert Strike in 86, I was onboard CGN-41 USS Arkansas. No more Nuke Cruisers.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Feb 16 at 2016 9:56 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 09:56:41 -0500

Nice. Thanks for sharing.